Softwr

Government · head to head

MuckRock vs Proton Mail

MuckRock logo

MuckRock

Government

FOIA Filing and Research Platform

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Proton Mail logo

Proton Mail

Cybersecurity

Secure email that protects your privacy

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MuckRock muckRock's core platform, Squarelet identity service, and DocumentCloud are licensed AGPL-3.0, which requires anyone running a modified version as a network service to release their source code; Proton Mail paid plan pricing not displayed on vendor site
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MuckRock and Proton Mail actually diverge.

Attributes where MuckRock and Proton Mail differ
AttributeMuckRockProton Mail
CategoryGovernmentCybersecurity
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in MuckRock

  • FOIA Filing
  • Request Tracking
  • Document Archive
  • Collaboration
  • Agency Directory
  • DocumentCloud
  • News Organizations
  • Research Tools

Only in Proton Mail

Nothing recorded that MuckRock does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

MuckRock

  • Citizen Servicesnot Proton Mail
  • Records Managementnot Proton Mail
  • Public Safetynot Proton Mail
  • Civic Engagementnot Proton Mail

Proton Mail

  • Encrypted email communicationnot MuckRock
  • Privacy-focused email servicenot MuckRock
  • Family email protectionnot MuckRock

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MuckRock

  • MuckRock's core platform, Squarelet identity service, and DocumentCloud are licensed AGPL-3.0, which requires anyone running a modified version as a network service to release their source code

Proton Mail

  • Paid plan pricing not displayed on vendor site
  • Free tier limited to 1 GB storage
  • Free tier limited to single email address

Pricing, plan by plan

MuckRock

Free
  • BasicFree
    • FOIA Filing
    • Request Tracking
    • Document Archive

Proton Mail

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Proton Mail review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MuckRock if

  • You need foia filing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want request tracking.
MuckRock review

Choose Proton Mail if

  • You want to start without paying.
Proton Mail review

Questions people ask

Is MuckRock or Proton Mail better?
Neither clearly leads. MuckRock starts at Free and Proton Mail at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MuckRock or Proton Mail?
MuckRock starts at Free and Proton Mail at Free.
Does MuckRock or Proton Mail run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use MuckRock for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MuckRock best used for?
MuckRock is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what Proton Mail is typically brought in for.
What can MuckRock do that Proton Mail cannot?
MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, Request Tracking, Document Archive, Collaboration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Proton Mail: Is there a free version of Proton Mail?

Yes, Proton Mail offers a free plan with 1 GB storage, 1 encrypted email address, and basic features like folders, labels, and filters.

Source
Proton Mail: What does the Mail Plus plan include?

Mail Plus includes 15 GB storage, 10 encrypted email addresses, support for 1 custom domain, 10 hide-my-email aliases, priority support, and access to Proton Calendar.

Source
Proton Mail: What is included in Proton Unlimited?

Proton Unlimited provides 500 GB storage, 15 email addresses, 3 custom domains, unlimited hide-my-email aliases, access to Mail, Calendar, VPN, Drive, and Pass, plus dedicated support.

Source
Proton Mail: Does Proton Mail offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes, Proton Mail provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for paid plans.

Source
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